Kevin Ball will remain in charge for Sunderland’s Premier League clash with
Manchester United on Saturday after the club confirmed that his spell as
interim head coach has been extended.

The 48-year-old, who was initially asked to take up the reins for the Capital One Cup win over Peterborough and Sunday's 3-1 Barclays Premier League defeat by Liverpool, will continue in the role as Ellis Short continues his search for a permanent replacement for Paolo Di Canio, eight days on from the Italian’s departure.

The news comes on the day that club captain John O'Shea called on his team-mates to draw a line under the fallout of Di Canio’s reign and rally to drag the club out of relegation trouble sooner rather than later.

Sunderland are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table after taking just a single point from their first six games, and while O'Shea confirmed that the dressing room had played a role in Di Canio’s demise, he insisted those same players must re-group to prevent the club from being cast adrift.

"That was obviously done,” He told the Sunderland Echo. “But we have to move on now. Because of the position we are in in the league, we can't keep going back to it. We have got some difficult months ahead.

"Whoever comes in, whether it's Bally [interim head coach Kevin Ball] or a new manager, we have got tough times ahead.

"We have to stick together and if we keep going back to it, it will soon be too hard to pull back from where we are."

Sunderland turned in a much-improved display against Liverpool, but with United due to arrive at the Stadium of Light with their own losing streak to atone for, things could yet get worse on Wearside before they get better.

The Black Cats are continuing to evaluate a series of potential candidates for the vacancy with Gus Poyet, Rene Meulensteen and senior professional development coach Ball, who has indicated his own interest in filling the role on a permanent basis, figuring prominently in the betting.

However, chief executive Margaret Byrne has revealed that discussions with several contenders have already taken place and talks with others will be held this week, and it appears an appointment is not imminent.

"Clearly as a matter of priority, our efforts are presently focused on appointing a new Head Coach,” Byrne wrote in the weekend’s match programme.

"As you would expect with a position of this magnitude, there has been a lot of interest, however, there is no definitive timescale on an appointment, as we are carefully examining all of the options available to us.

“I am sure that you have read and heard all kinds of rumours and speculation about potential targets but much of this is guesswork. We have had contact with some interested parties already and have others to speak to in the coming days.

"As soon as we have identified the right person to take the club forward we will make an announcement.”